The Portuguese Camino from Porto has completely different routes; the Central, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Approach. All routes begin at Se Cathedral in Porto. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain, 85 km earlier than Santiago de Compostela. It’s doable to mix all three routes or select one and stroll it from the begin to the top. On this publish, I describe the primary stage of every of the three Camino de Santiago routes from Porto.
For a lot of pilgrims, the Portuguese Camino begins in Porto. The route is for much longer as a result of it begins in Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto a part of the Camino isn’t a very talked-about route.
What number of routes are on the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
There are 3 routes on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Porto; the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Approach or Senda Litoral. The Litoral Approach is the one which goes alongside the coast from Porto. The Central and the Coastal routes go inland.
I walked out of Porto for 3 consecutive days following the three completely different routes of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The Litoral Approach is by far my favourite because it goes alongside the coast and gives spectacular surroundings. The Coastal Route from Porto is my least favourite as a result of it goes by way of some industrial areas and previous the airport. I wouldn’t say the stroll on the Coastal Route was ugly or disagreeable it was okay I simply appreciated it the least, particularly the center half the place you stroll by way of the commercial space and subsequent to the airport. Moreover the primary stage, the Coastal Route is one in every of our favourite Camino de Santiago routes.
The map of the three Camino routes from Porto
Greatest locations to remain in Porto earlier than the Camino
The most effective is to remain close to the Cathedral so in your first day on the Camino you can begin the stroll proper out of your lodge and don’t need to take the metro or a bus to get to the Cathedral first.
Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto is 3 km away from the Cathedral on the Central/Coastal Camino routes. If you wish to keep there you are able to do the primary 3 km from Se Cathedral to Albergue the day earlier than you begin your stroll so on the day you possibly can stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. When you’re going to stroll the Litoral Approach then you definately’ll need to get from the albergue to the Cathedral by public transport or taxi after which begin strolling.
Which Camino route from Porto is the very best to stroll?
It will depend on which route of the Portuguese Camino you need to stroll. When you plan to stroll the Central Route I’d counsel following it from the beginning. You may as well stroll out of Porto following the Senda Litoral, however in that case, you’ll have to change to the Central Route in Vila do Conde which provides one additional day to your itinerary.
If you wish to stroll the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino I’d counsel strolling out of Porto following the Litoral Approach. In my view, it’s a extra stunning route and it makes extra sense to stroll alongside the coast since that’s what you need to do. The Litoral Approach and the Coastal Route take part Vila do Conde. From there they observe kind of the identical trajectory. The Litoral Approach sticks extra to the seaside whereas the Coastal Route generally goes by way of cities and villages.
The stroll from Porto to Vila do Conde on the Litoral Approach is 4 km longer than on the Coastal Route; 33 km vs 29 km. You don’t need to stroll it in at some point. Even 29 km for my part is an excessive amount of for the primary day on the Camino.
As an possibility, you possibly can mix all three routes. Stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Approach, then proceed on the Coastal Route from Vila do Conde to Caminha from there stroll to Valença and proceed on the Central Path to Santiago de Compostela. You may add to your itinerary the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino from Pontevedra to Padrón.
What’s the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto?
The Senda Litoray (Litoral Approach) is for my part probably the most scenic route of the primary stage of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. The Coastal and the Central routes have stunning components as effectively nevertheless it’s not as spectacular because the Litoral Approach. I particularly loved the final 10 km to Vila Cha which had been alongside the coast previous a number of stunning seashores. There are some wonderful cities to go to on all 3 Camino routes.
Evaluating the three routes; Central Route vs Coastal Route vs Litoral Approach
Strolling floor
On each the Central and Coastal routes, you stroll solely on arduous surfaces with virtually half of the route being on cobbled stones that are identified to be powerful in your ft.
On the Litoral Approach, half of the route goes on boardwalks that are simpler in your ft. There are not any cobbled stones on the route.
Strolling on or alongside busy roads
Once more, the Litoral Approach is the winner. You don’t stroll on the street in any respect, not even 100 m. On the Central and Coastal routes you do stroll on the street and subsequent to busy roads with loads of site visitors.
Simple to navigate
Regardless of the Litoral Approach not being marked for the primary 10 km for my part it’s the best path to stroll out of Porto. It’s very simple. You don’t want a map, indicators, or GPX.
Alternatively, the Central and the Coastal routes are marked however the first two kilometers by way of the historic middle are complicated on account of too many distractions round you it’s troublesome to identify Camino indicators. After the primary 2 km, each routes are fairly simple to observe.
Surroundings
For me, the Litoral Approach is by far probably the most scenic route of the Portuguese Camino out of Porto. Sandy seashores, blue sea, fishermen’s villages, and wildflowers in spring months are the proper surroundings to begin the Camino with.
The primary 2 km on the Central and the Coastal routes by way of the historic middle of Porto is sort of spectacular. You get to see among the highlights of town. On the Central Route, I loved the final 5 km by way of a quiet rural space and the forest. The Coastal Route has its magnificence too; you possibly can see some countryside and forest.
How busy are the routes?
I’d say to me it seemed just like the Litoral Approach was the busiest route out of Porto. I walked all three routes in July so I imagine that point of the yr folks choose strolling alongside the coast. The Central Route had an honest quantity of pilgrims too. On the Coastal Route out of Porto, there have been only a few pilgrims. Thoughts, that July general is a much less busy month than Could or September. I walked some components of the Portuguese Camino in Could and there have been much more folks than in July. Homeowners of albergues and motels alongside the Camino route confirmed the identical.
When is the very best time for strolling?
When is the very best time to stroll the Camino will depend upon a number of components. I walked the Portuguese Camino from Porto in Could, June, and July. For me even in July on the Central Route, it wasn’t extraordinarily scorching. I’d say from the climate viewpoint the spring/summer time months between Could and mid-October are the very best time for strolling.
July and August are the busiest vacation months in Portugal and Spain however the Portuguese Camino route quite the opposite not as busy as in Could, June, and September. July and August is perhaps time to stroll the Central Route if you wish to escape the gang on the Camino. There are a lot of festivals and celebrations all through Portugal in July and August. It’s very probably you’re going to get to witness a few of them in the event you stroll the Portuguese Camino in one in every of these months.
It’s higher to not stroll the Coastal or the Litoral Approach in July and August if you wish to keep in personal rooms as a result of most locations by the ocean are absolutely booked and the lodging costs improve so much throughout these peak months. When you’re planning on staying in albergues it shouldn’t be an issue. It’d even be simpler to discover a dorm mattress in July and August than in Could and September.
The place in Porto do the Camino routes begin?
All 3 routes begin at Se Cathedral within the historic middle of Porto. To be sincere I discover route marking from the Cathedral complicated and never very clear.
The Central and the Coastal Route
The Central and Coastal Routes begin on the stairs (Calçada de Don Pedro Pitões) throughout the sq. from the principle entrance to the Cathedral. There’s an official signal and a few yellow arrows pointing down. There’s a vacationer data workplace down the steps on the suitable the place you will get a map of Porto and inquire in regards to the Camino route.
As soon as down the steps maintain left you’ll see two yellow arrows painted on the backside of the wall pointing in reverse instructions. I took the suitable route however I imagine each routes find yourself on the similar place R. das Flores, a pedestrian avenue. As soon as there it’s very tempting to observe this avenue however it’s important to take the primary left flip to Rua do Ferraz. From there it’s a bit simpler to observe the arrows.
If at some stage you lose the route the very best shall be to search out Igreja do Carmo on Google. Maps and stroll there. From the church (Igreja do Carmo) the route is simple to observe. You could find a yellow arrow on the wall on the suitable aspect of the church (dealing with it).
Notice!!! There are a few extra steel planks with arrows pointing proper I attempted to observe them however they don’t go any additional than the sq..
The Central Route and the Coastal Route are the identical for the primary 7 km from the Cathedral. At 7 km (in Padrão da Légua) they break up; the Central Route goes proper and the Coastal Route goes left in the direction of the coast nevertheless it will get there solely in Vila do Conde.
The Litoral Approach
The Litoral Approach from the Cathedral goes alongside the river out of Porto to Matosinhos and from there continues alongside the coast. The best manner of discovering the route is to stroll from Se Cathedral right down to the river and proceed alongside it. The route isn’t marked and in the event you attempt to observe yellow arrows they could lead you in the direction of the Central/Coastal Route.
Are the routes well-marked?
All three routes are marked with conventional yellow arrows painted on the bottom, partitions, poles, and many others. Once in a while you see official route markings comparable to wood or stone indicators, and steel plaques on the bottom.
The Coastal and the Central Routes (the primary 7 km it’s the identical route) are marked fairly effectively ranging from the Cathedral. The primary 2 kilometers by way of the historic middle of Porto are a bit complicated as a result of there are various advertisements, automobiles, folks, and many others. You need to watch out to not miss a yellow arrow.
The primary 10 km of the Litoral Approach aren’t marked. The route marking begins on the data workplace in Matosinhos. From there on you possibly can observe conventional Camino indicators. Regardless of not being marked the Litoral Approach is the simplest path to stroll out of Porto. From the Cathedral you go right down to the Douro River and observe it after which the coast for 10 km. It’s a really simple route.
The Central Route – Porto to Vilarinho, 27 km/16,7 mi
- Distance – 27 km/16,7 mi
- Time – 6 hours
- Ascent – 336 m
- Descent – 355 m
- Strolling floor – 14,5 km/9 mi – tar street and asphalt, 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones, 500 m/0,3 mi – footpath
The primary 7 km/4,3 mi the Central and the Coastal route are on the identical path.
For the primary 15 km/9,3 mi, there are various eating places, cafes, and retailers to cease for breakfast or espresso. After then there are locations to cease however not as many as within the first half.
The Central Route from Porto GPX recordsdata
To make your stroll simpler you possibly can obtain our GPX recordsdata. The recordsdata are our courtesy and for personal use solely. No unauthorized public or industrial use is allowed.
PDF recordsdata of the route
The Central Route description
The primary 2 km/1,2 mi are by way of the historic middle of Porto from Se Cathedral to Igreja (church) do Carmo. It’s the most troublesome half to navigate particularly the primary 700 m from the Cathedral. When you lose the path discover Igreja do Carmo on Google Maps and stroll there. From the church observe Rua de Cedofeida (the road on the suitable dealing with the church). From there the Camino route is sort of simple to observe it goes straight to Vilarinho.
Between 2 km/1,2 mi and 5 km/3,1 mi, you stroll by way of the residential space of Porto.
2,8 km/1,7 mi – Albergue de Peregrinos de Porto. When you’re going to remain within the Albergue and planning to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route you possibly can stroll the half from the Cathedral to the Albergue a day earlier than so within the morning you possibly can stroll out of the Albergue and proceed on the Camino. In any other case, it’s important to take the metro to go to the Cathedral after which stroll previous the Albergue.
Between 5 km/3,1 mi and 11 km/6,8 mi, the route goes by way of quiet neighborhoods.
6 km/3,7 mi – a few massive supermarkets (LIDL, Continente) the place you will get a well-priced meal.
7 km/4,3 mi – the break up (on the left aspect of the road) in Padrão da Légua on the intersection of R. Nova do Seixo and R. Fonte Velha.
8,4 km/5,2 mi – a grocery store (ALDI)
11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – alongside the street (sidewalk) by way of the forest
12 km/7,4 mi – 14,5 km/9 mi – by way of cities alongside the busy roads
14,5 km/9 mi – a few massive supermarkets (LIDL, Pingo Doce)
15 km/9,3 mi – 16 km – industrial space however not a really busy one
16 km – 16,4 km/10 mi – on a street
17 km/10,5 mi – a store and a bar
18,5 km/11,4 mi – Mosteiro, a small city with a restaurant
20 km/12,4 mi – Vila, a small city with a restaurant and a store
21 km/13 mi – 21,5 km/13,4 mi – on the street
21,5 km/13,4 mi – Gião, a small city with a restaurant. You may stamp your Pilgrim’s Passport at a stand with a stamp on the left aspect of the road.
22,4 km/14 mi – a small grocery store
23 km/14,2 mi – on the Doce Giao cafe there’s a route break up. I’d suggest following the choice route that turns proper and goes by way of a quiet space. The left route is on a busy slim street it’s not a protected strolling possibility. There’s a very good guesthouse Casa Mindela, 800 m from the Camino route. You may cease there as a substitute of strolling to Vilarinho. We stayed there for a few days and we appreciated it.
24 km/15 mi – a bar and a store
25 km/15,5 mi – an ATM and a restaurant
26 km/16,1 mi – Municipal Albergue do Mosteiro do Veirão.
26,5 km/16,4 mi – 27 km/16,7 mi – a footpath by way of the forest
27 km/16,7 mi – Vilarinho, a small city with a store, a restaurant, and a non-public albergue/visitor home.
Locations to remain in Vilarinho
The Coastal Route – Porto to Vila do Conde, 29 km/18 mi
- Distance – 29 km/18 mi
- Time – 6-7 hours
- Ascent – 255 m
- Descent – 320 m
- Strolling floor – 17 km/10,5 mi – asphalt or tar street and 12 km/7,4 mi – cobblestones
The Coastal Route from Porto GPX recordsdata
You should use our GPX recordsdata in your system to make your stroll out of Porot simpler. The recordsdata are for personal use solely.
PDF recordsdata of the route
The Coastal Route description
The primary 7 km/4,3 mi on the Coastal Route from Porto is similar as on the Central Route. For more information on that half test the part above.
Between 7 km/4,3 mi and 9 km/5,6 mi, you stroll by way of a really quiet neighborhood of Porto with small homes lined up alongside the road.
9 km/5,6 mi – 11 km/6,8 mi – the Camino route goes by way of a rural space.
11 km/6,8 mi – 12 km/7,4 mi – by way of an industrial space with many vans. I walked it on Sunday so it was quiet I feel that on weekdays it’s busy.
13 km/8 mi – a store and a restaurant
13,5 km/8,3 mi – a city with an ATM, cafe, and store. The subsequent place to cease for meals shall be at 22 km.
15,8/9,8 mi – 17,5 km/10,8 mi – strolling subsequent to Porto Airport
21 km/13 mi – 22 km/13,6 mi – a quiet street by way of the forest
22 km/13,6 mi – a giant shopping center (Vila do Conde Porto Style Outlet)
24 km/15 mi – Mindelo, a small city with a store and a restaurant
26 km/16 mi – a store, a restaurant, and a bar
29 km/18 mi – Vila do Conde
Locations to remain in Vila do Conde
The Litoral Approach (Senda Litoral) – Porto to Vila Chã, 26 km/16 mi
- Distance – 26 km/16 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Ascent – 242 m
- Descent – 273 m
- Strolling floor – 15 km/9,3 mi – asphalt, 10 km/6,2 mi – boardwalks, 1 km/0,6 mi – cobbled
The Litoral Approach from Porto GPX recordsdata
You may obtain our GPX recordsdata and use them in your system to make navigation simpler. The recordsdata are our courtesy. No unauthorized public or industrial use is allowed.
The primary 10 km/6,2 mi on the Litoral Approach from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos aren’t marked. It doesn’t imply it’s troublesome to search out the route the truth is the Senda Litoral is the simplest path to observe out of Porto. From Se Cathedral get right down to the Douro River and observe it until you might be out of town.
The route from the Cathedral to the river described in Brierley’s guidebook is the shortest manner however you don’t need to observe any path simply stroll to the river and proceed alongside it in the direction of Ponte da Arrabita (Arrabita Bridge) and the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts, the guidebook says to observe orange arrows however, there are not any arrows possibly there have been up to now.
As an possibility, for the primary 5,5 km/3,4 mi, you possibly can take the well-known yellow tram (#1 and #18). It just about follows the identical route because the Camino. Passeio Alegre is the title of the tram cease the place you get off.
For your entire 26 km/16 mi, there are many cafes and eating places to cease at.
The Litoral Approach route description
For a lot of the first 6 km/3,7 mi, you stroll subsequent to the Douro River aside from a brief half simply earlier than Jardim do Passeio Alegre. You don’t have to fret about discovering the best way simply observe the identical avenue and it’ll take you again to the river.
6 km/3,7 mi – São João Baptista da Foz Fortress and Barra do Douro Lighthouse
10,5 km/6,5 mi – Vacationer Data Workplace in Matosinhos. From there the Litoral Approach is well-marked with conventional yellow arrows and official Camino indicators. Some pilgrims take a bus/metro prepare from Porto to Matosinhos and begin strolling from there. Bus #500 and metro line A go from Porto to Matosinhos.
10,5 km/6,5 mi – 13 km/8 mi – the Camino goes by way of town (Matosinhos). It’s the solely a part of the Litoral Approach the place it’s important to take note of the Camino indicators.
11,7 km/7,2 mi – go over the bridge Ponte móvel de Leça to the opposite aspect of the river. From there stroll again to the coast.
13 km/8 mi – the data workplace the place you will get a stamp. They informed me there that you could purchase a Credential (Pilgrim’s Passport) at one of many newspaper (tabaco) kiosks close by. When you nonetheless don’t have it you possibly can inquire there and purchase your Credential on the best way.
From 13 km/8 mi you stroll alongside the coast all the best way to Vila Cha. There are many cafes and eating places and a few supermarkets alongside the best way.
15 km/9,3 mi – the start of the boardwalks. From there on you stroll virtually completely on boardwalks.
20 km/12,4 mi – a giant grocery store (ALDI, 400 m away from the boardwalks)
24 km/15 mi – Labruge. There’s a personal albergue 900 m away from the Camino route.
26 km/16 mi – Vila Cha. The municipal albergue in Vila Cha is about 800 m away from the coast and the Camino route.
Locations to remain in Vila Cha
Portuguese Camino planning sources
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack fairly than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.